1400 – 1600 Ayr

Earliest records are taken from the on-line info of: THE CHARTERS OF THE ABBEY OF CROSRAGUEL. VOL. I & 2, edited by F C H Blair and published by the Ayr and Galloway Archaeological Association in 1886,

Sources

Registrum magni sigilli regum Scotorum: The Register of the Great Seal of Scotland, A.D. 1306-1668 (on-line) These printed volumes record charters of land held directly from the Crown and not land held from vassals of the Crown. The register continues thereafter in manuscript form.Protocol Book of Gavin Ros. 95 via The Scottish Record Society (on-line)There are other Protocol Books which cover Ayrshire, as well as the royal burgh of Ayr.Calendar of Writs preserved at Yester House (1166-162), Scottish Record Society (on-line) concerns the family of Hays of Yester.Calendar of The Laing Charters 854-1837 (on-line) Miscellaneous Charters collected by David Laing (1793-1878), Librarian of the Signet Library. His papers are now in Edinburgh University LibraryCharters of the Abbey of Crossraguel (on-line)Edinburgh Commissary Court Testaments (digital images accessible on-line at www.scotlandspeople.gov.co.uk or in the NAS)

Notes about spelling of names and words

N.B. Modern day spelling of Trudonag, Trewdunack, etc., is TRADUNNOCK

The following excerpts from documents indicate the different spellings as well as variants for Tradunnock. Also included are excerpts that show nearby lands that were occupied by the McCubbins in the 15th, 16th, 17th and 18th century.

-“Altycaple, of old extent, next adjacent to the lands of Knokgarran.” -“half merk land of old extent of Alticapel, in the parish of Dailly -“Alticappill, called Makcubenstoun, *of old extent, with the pertinents, lying in the earldom of Carrick and shire of Ayr.” -“the said merk land of Alticappill callit M’Cubeynstoun in the handis of the said venerable fader his successouris or thair assignais quhilkis.” -the twenty shilling lands of Attiheir called McCuminstoun.” [the ‘toun’ ending means farmstead and outbuildings] -“Trodonoch, ten shilling land – Charter by commendator of the Monastery” -“nine merkland of Dalquherrane alias Brunstoune”

*Of old extent means the Valuations taken during the reigns of Alexander 111(1249-7) and David 11 (1329-71) After that there were no further complete Valuations the mid 19th century. Merkland, shilling land etc dates back to those Valuations.

The McCubbin name was spelled in a variety of ways, depending upon the scriber. The surname name has been left as it was written in most of the documents.

Crossraguel Abbey

Sources: Full Text of Charters of the Abbey of CrossraguelCrossraguel Abbey [about 2 miles southwest of Maybole, Ayr,] was founded in 1244 by Donnchadh, Earl of Carrick, The origin of the abbey’s name is unclear but may refer to the ancient Cross of Riaghail (Latin form St Regulus) that stood on the spot. Crossraguel was a Cluniac abbey and the monks – members of a branch of the Benedictines – were known as the “Black monks” after the colour of their clothes.Crossraguel was sacked in 1307 by the army of Edward I. It was rebuilt on a larger scale and remained a monastery until 1560, when the Reformation ended monastic institutions in Scotland. The extent of the Regality of the Abbey covered an immense amount of land [in Ayr-Carrick]. The following are among the principal places mentioned in these charters as being included in it. Of the 77 listed, McCubbins were involved to some degree or other, in the following: Alticliappell, Balchristen. Baltersan, Brunstoim (Brunstoun), Dalqubarran, Drummorchy, Knockgarron, Knockbrek, M”Cubenstoun, Quarrelhill, Snade and Trudonag.In the absence of the Chartulary or any Rental book we have to glean all the details regarding the management of these vast landed estates from the charters themselves. The monks were excellent farmers and good landlords. Their tenants were free from all military service, and had thus more leisure for agriculture and gentle pursuits than their neighbours, who held of the great barons of Cassillis, Blairquhan, and Culzean, and who, as vassals, were liable at the shortest notice to be summoned to arms. The tenantry of Crosraguel consisted of the cottars, who occupied a croft and paid a small rent for it ; and the farmers, who paid it chiefly in grain. A third class of vassals were the yeomen or small lairds of such places as Knockgarron, Pennyglen, Balserroch, or Clonlicht, who held land in the regality, and were thus subject to the authority of the Abbot. An incident of their tenure was their annual attendance at the court held by him on the lands of Auchinblane, where they were with the other tenantry to renew every year their allegiance to their feudal superior.Over the vassals in their Regality the monks could exercise an almost boundless jurisdiction. From the date of the great charter by Robert the Third in 1404 until the Reformation, the Abbots of Crosraguel were, from the extent of their possessions, the importance of their office, and the almost royal power with which they were invested, the greatest personages in all Ayrshire ; and no history of the county could be complete which failed to recognise the civilising and controlling force of the Regality.While reading the following documents, you will find ‘McCubbin in’ and ‘McCubbin of’. ‘In’ means he is an indweller or renter, ‘of’ means he owned the land.Re: The records Registers of Sasines are in the National Archives of Scotland (now the National Registers of Scotland). These begin in 1617, although there was a brief experimental period from between 1599 and 1609. There are Particular Registers for each county and a General Register which covers the whole country. Indexes are sporadic for the period up to 1781. Prior to 1617 records of change of ownership were recorded in Notaries Protocol Books. Royal burghs kept their own Protocol Books and Sasine Registers, some are in the National Archives of Scotland while others are kept in local archives. In the past very few Scots had sasines (owned property). This record is essentially about the ‘haves’ of Scottish society rather than the ‘have nots’. Until the 20th century, when owner-occupation became more common, only a tiny proportion of Scots owned the house they lived in or the land that they farmed. Most rented their property and will not appear in registers of sasines.

1404 Makcubeyn, John, Trudonag

Registrum magni sigilli regum Scotorum : The Register of the Great Seal of Scotland, A.D. 1306-1668, Vol 1, 38,39Makcubeyn, John, Trudonag At Linlithgow 24th August 1404. Charter by King Robert the Third, on the ground of charity and for the safety of the souls of all his ancestors and successors, and specially of his own soul and that of his beloved consort Anabella, Queen of Scotland, and of his son David, sometime Duke of Rothesay, Earl of Carrick, and of all the faithful dead, granting and confirming to the abbot and convent of Crosraguel, and the monks there serving God, in perpetuity, all their lands following, that is to say, of the churches of St. Oswald of Turnberry, St. Cuthbert of Straton, St. Cuthbert of Innergarvane, St. Cuthbert of Innertig, and St. Michael of Dalmulkerane : Also the two penny land of the chapel of the Holy Trinity of Kildomiue, two mercates of land doted by John Henry, five penny lands of Crosraguel and Southblane, one penny land Channacheth, one penny land called Balekirstenlorcane, and the whole land of Dumheynen, a penny land of Clachrybeg, of Achenacht, of Dallochorane, and Corrale, respectively, five penny lands of Drumgrelach, five merk land of Snade, and one merk of land in the tenement of Donemurthy: Also twenty shilling lands of Drumcaldilthey and Drumfern, twenty shilling lands of the chapel of St. Donnan of Cragach, ten shilling lands of John Makcubyn in the tenement of Trudonag, twenty shilling lands of Drumrachney and of the over lordship of the same tenement: Also the island of Ilysay, with the pertinents ; To be holden, had, and possessed, all and sundry the aforenamed lands, by the said abbot and convent for ever, in free regality, in fee and heritage, and in pure and perpetual alms, etc. etc. Sealed with the king’s seal, and dated at Linlithgow 24th August 1404. Trudonag, on the Girvan, near the modern Crosshill.

*The Introduction in Volume 1 of The Charters of the Abbey of Crosraguel records that many of its records have been lost and the object of the book was to bring together all the material that had survived. The above was a charter of confirmation dated 1404 in which Robert 111 confirmed all preceding grants which had been made to the abbey in the past in fee (i.e. forever) and heritage and at the same time granting them free regality forever. A regality was a franchise court whereby justice could be administered by the owner within the bounds of the lands he owned. In this case, the Abbot and his monks could hold their own court at which cases could be tried. (DBaptie)

1492 Makcuben, Dougal, Trewdunak

Registrum magni sigilli regum Scotorum : The Register of the Great Seal of Scotland, A.D. 1306-1668, Vol 1, 55,56,62,63Makcuben, Dougal, Trewdunak At Crosraguel 26 May 1492 Charter by Robert Abbot of Crosraguel, in favour of John Fergusson, son and apparent heir of Duncan Fergusson of Knokgarran, for his good services abundantly rendered, of all and whole a half mercate of the lands of Altycaple, of old extent, next adjacent to the lands of Knokgarran, on the west side thereof; lying in the parish of Dailly, earldom of Carrick and shire of Ayr: which *lands formerly belonged to Dougal MacCuben of Trewdonnak, and were resigned by him, by staff and baton, into the hands of Colin of famous memory, sometime abbot of the said monastery: To hold of the abbot and convent in fee and heritage, for the service due and wont. Dated at the monastery of Crosraguel 26th May 1492.*Here you will see that the superior is the Abbot of Crosraguel who granted a charter to John Fergusson in 1492 of the lands of Altycaple which had belonged to Dougal MacCuben of Trewdonnak. You will note that he had resigned the lands into the hands of Colin, previous abbot. The Charters etc record that Colin was abbot from 1480 to 1490 (volume i page 54) and so Dougal must have resigned them between 1480 and 1490. (D Baptie)

1499 John Makcumbyne, Auchinleck

Registrum Magni Sigilli Regum Scotorum : The Register of the Great Seal of Scotland, xiii 495-497John Makcumbyne. Auchinleck 23 May 1499 John Auchinleck, baron of the barony of Auchinleck, has sold, &c., to William Cunninynghame of Craganis and Mariota Auchinlek his spouse, daughter of the said John, and to their heirs male lawfully to be begotten using the surname Auchinlek, – the barony of Auchinlek and the lands of the same, to wit the lands of Crakistowun, Ovir and Nethir Kethistoun and Rogertoun, with the castle, fortalice, tenants, tenantries and services of the freeholders , sheriffdom of Ayr; – for a certain sum of money paid him in his urgent necessity by the aforesaid William and Mariota: etc., Precept of seisin upon the chater written immediately before, registered by order of the lords: addressed to William Craufurd, James Douglas, John Cunyhame and Thomas Smythe: witnessed by Edmund Hert, John Glen, John M’Cubbe and Alexander Hunter. Instrument on the same seisin: in the name of John Cunynghame, etc, witnessed by Thomas Merschall, Edward Hert, Thomas Smyth, John Glen and John Makcumbyne.

1501 Dugald M’Cubin

Registrum Magni Sigilli Regum Scotorum: The Register of the Great Seal of Scotland, Vol 1, 63Dugald M’Cubin At Crosraguel 2 November 1501 Precept by David Abbot of Crosraguel, addressed to Dugald M’Crinnyll, Duncan Kennedy, Gilbert M’Cormyll, and John Caldwell, his bailies in that part, for infefting John Fergusson in all and whole the half merk land of old extent of Alticapel, in the parish of Dailly and earldom of Carrick, and which was part of the lands of Dugald M’Cubin. Dated at Crosraguel 2d November 1501. Witnesses: James Kennedy of Row, Robert Mure, and William Maxwell.

1502 Joh Makcumbyne, Auchinleck

Registrum magni sigilli regum Scotorum: The Register of the Great Seal of Scotland, A.D. 1306-1668, Vol 2 Joh Makcumbyne Auchinleck At Edinburgh, 1502 These are the charter of the barony of Auchinlek, and the precept and instrument of sasine following thereupon, in favour of WU. Cunjnighame of Craganis and Marion Auchinlek his spouse, already printed in the note to 288 mpra. Tlie precept of sasine (2632) is addressed to Wil. Craufurd, Jas. Douglas, Joh. Cunynghame and Tho. Smythe, and witnessed by Edmund Hert, Joh. Glen, Joh. M’Cubbeand Alex. Hunter. The instrument of sasine (2633) runs in the name of John Cunynghame, son of umquhile Arch.C. of Walteistoun, and bailiff of Sir Joh. Auchinlek of that Ilk, knight ; and is witnessed by Tho. Merschall, Edw. Hert, Tho. Smyth, Joh. Glen and Joh. Makcumbyne. N.P. 1502.

1521 Fergus M’Cubyne

Protocol Book of Gavin Ros. 95 published by The Scottish Record Society, no. 525Fergus M’CubyneAt the mansion of the lands, 30 Dec 1521 Instrument narrating that Fergus M’Cubyne gave sasine of the 20s. lands of Callethtoun and Gardrum, in the earldom of Carrik and sheriffdom of Are, to John M’Cubyne, his son, and Isobella Wallace (or Walker), his spouse, the survivor and their heirs, whom failing, the heirs of John, accord- ing to a charter of blench farm for rendering two pennies yearly if asked, to be made to them thereon. At the mansion of the lands 30 December 1521. Witnesses, William Paterson and Alexander Stewart, 132a.

1521 Fergus M’Cubyne

Protocol Book of Gavin Ros. 95 The Scottish Record Society, no. 522Fergus M’CubyneOn the grounds of the said tenements 4 Dec 1521 Instrument narrating that Fergus M’Cubyne *in Ba(llochage) freely resigned the following annual rents : 40s. yearly from the tenement of Alexander Ratht, lying in the burgh of Are, between the tenement of the late Alexander Johnsone on the south and that of the late William Wallace of Cragy on the north ; 40s. yearly from the tenement of John Broun of said burgh, between the tenement of the late John Chapman on the south and that of William Walker on the north ; ,£3 yearly from the forehouse, under and above, of Leonard Clerk, with chamber from back part adjoining, in the said burgh between the tenement of Adam Wallace of Newtoun on the west and that of John Mure on the east; and 20s. yearly from the tenement of James Kennedy, lying between the tenement of John Mure on west and that of Mathew Rodman on the east; in the hands of John Kennedy, one of the bailies of the burgh, in favour of John M’Cubyn, his son, reserving his liferent use of the said annual rents with a reasonable terce to his wife, which resignation being made and received, the bailie gave sasine in due form to John M’Cubyn. Done on the ground of the said tenements 4 December 1521. Witnesses, James Wod, John Monfode and Alexander Stewart, 131a. Memorandum. That Fergus asked instruments of the reservation of his liferent and his wife’s terce.*You will see that Fergus was in Ballochage not of Ballochage Annualrents were annual payment of interest on loans made to one person to another. You will see that all these properties were in the Burgh of Ayr. It therefore seems likely that Fergus had lent money to Alexander Rath and to John Broun, Leonard Clerk and John Kennedy. You will note that as Ayr was a royal burgh, the superior would be the provost and town council of Ayr. So, Fergus would have resigned the above annualrents into the hands of the baillie (magistrate) acting for the superiors so that a new sasine could be drawn up in his son and wifes name. He also reserved his liferent of them and also his wifes third.

1521 Fergus & John M’Cubin

Protocol Book of Gavin Ros. 95 The Scottish Record Society, no. 523.Fergus & John M’CubinDec 1521 Instrument to the effect that *Leonard Clerk, burgess of Are, faithfully promised to pay to Fergus M’Cubin in Ballochage £3 of money between this and the feast of St. Kentigern (January 13) next to come, or at least to add that sum in letters of reversion of annual rent formerly made between them. . . . December 1521. Probably same date as preceding writ. Witness, John M’Cubyn, 131b.*Here Leonard Clerk is borrowing a further sum from Fergus

1522 Fergus M’Cubin

Protocol Book of Gavin Ros. 95 The Scottish Record Society, no. 579.Fergus M’Cubin In the burgh of Are [Ayr], 1522 Instrument narrating that Robert M’Clure freely constituted and named John M’Clure, his son, his cessioner and assignee in and to all his goods after his decease, except only legacies and what shall be lawfully expended for his soul and funeral rites on the day of burial ; delivering also the said John, with all moveable goods pertaining to him at his decease, into the care and keeping of John Kennedy, bailie of Are, uncle of John M., and he appoints John K. as governor and guardian of his son, committing to him the disposition of the goods. Moreover, Robert M. immediately delivered to his son John, as assignee, twenty breeding sheep, as many lambs, four cows with calf, one barren cow, two yoke oxen, one ox of five years and one beast ( animal ) of three years.Fergus M’Cubin in Bellachage became cautioner for Robert for delivering the goods to Kennedy, and Gilbert M’Quhilli became surety for John K. for the upkeep of said goods by him. Done in the burgh of Are, in John K.’s lodging . . . 1522. Witnesses, Andrew Conyngham, Leonard Clerk, Alexander Rath, burgesses of said burgh, and George Monfode, 146b.

1526 Alticappill/Makcubenstoun

Registrum Magni Sigilli Regum Scotorum: The register of the Great seal of Scotland, Vol 1 no. 79 Alticappill/Makcubenstoun At Crosraguel 25 Feb 1526 The McCubbin name is not noted in this document. It is included to show the names of the lands, owned at various time through history, by the McCubbins. Instrument of resignation ad remanentiam by Nigel Fergusson of Knockgarrane in the hands of William, Abbot of the monastery of Crosraguel, of his three pound lands of Knockgarrane and Alticappill, called Makcubenstoun, of old extent, with the pertinents, lying in the earldom of Carrick and shire of Ayr, as in the hands of his superior, to remain with him and his assignees for ever, the abbot having paid a certain sum of money to the said Nigel for the same. Done in the monastery of Crosraguel, 25th February 1526, in presence of Sir John Kennedy, prebendary of Maybole, Duncan Fergusson and Arthur Gilhespye.

1527 Robert M’Cubyn

Protocol Book of Gavin Ros. via Scottish Record Society, no. 781 CumnockRobert M’Cubyn On lands of Barschar 23 Nov 1527 Instrument narrating that Andrew Hog of Barschar gave sasine of 5 acres of arable land … of meadow, with hay growing thereon, and pasture of two … pasturing in the messuage of Barschar, to Robert M’Cubyn, according to a charter thereupon. Done on the ground of the lands of Barschar 23 November 1527. Witnesses, Mr. Thomas Craufurd, vicar of Cumnok, and Mr. John Eglinton, chaplain, 1 ia.

1529 Alticappill called Makcubeystoun

Registrum Magni Sigilli Regum Scotorum: The Register of the Great Seal of Scotland Vol 1, no. 89Alticappill called Makcubeystoun The McCubbin name is not noted in this document. It is included to show the different place names. The document involves Gilbert Fergussoun.Note the different spelling within the same document (which originally is in Latin). -“and hale thair merk land of Alticappill callit Makcubeynstoun the quhilk merk land” -“the said merk land of Alticappill callit M’Cubeynstoun in the handis of the said venerable fader his successouris or thair assignais quhilkis”

1529 Alticapel alias Macubinston

Registrum Magni Sigilli Regum Scotorum: The register of the Great seal of Scotland, Vol 1, no. 90,91Alticapel alias Macubinston Letter of Reversion by David Kennedy of Pennyglen to William Abbot of Crosraguel, bearing the abbot having infeft him the said David Kennedy in the merk land of Alticapel alias Macubinston, lying in the earldom of Carrick, and which the said David Kennedy redeemed from Gilbert Fergusson, son of Duncan Fergusson of Kilkerran

1529 Robert M’Cubyn, Cumnock

Protocol Book of Gavin Ros, Scottish Record Society, no. 87Robert M’Cubyn Cumnock At the church of Cumnock, 1529 1029. Instrument narrating that Robert M’Cubyn freely resigned five acres of arable land and one acre of meadow in the hands of Andrew Hog of Barschar as in the hands of his over lord, with charter and sasine forever. At the church of Cumnok same date as preceding. Witnesses, Mr. Thomas Campbell, rector of Cumnok, George Makgathan of Barlanathane, John Campbell of Schankistoun and Sir William Hum.

1530 John M’Cubine

Protocol Book of Gavin Ros. no. 197, Scottish Record SocietyJohn M’Cubine At the said tenement in Air, Dec 1530 1087. Instrument as to question of unpaid rent between Patrick Broun and John M’Cubine. The annual rent from a tenement in Air not having been paid by Broun, M”Cubine passed to the front portion of the tenement, and declared that he would take and distrain certain goods and merchandise in the booth or shop for the annual rent remaining, as he asserted, unpaid. Patrick B., personally present for the time, stood in the doorway and declared he was unwilling to permit John M. to distrain the goods and merchandise in the shop, but that his said tenement was distrainable for the annual rent in his back portion, and meanwhile he offered himself ready to pay the annual rent due from his tenement for the time. Done at the said tenement . . . December (?) 1530 Witnesses, James Tait, John Martin, Robert Gilbert and John Martin, John M’Cubyn.1088. The same day John M’Cubyn declared himself ready to receive 40 shilling annual rent of the tenements of Patrick Broun in Air, due years and terms bypast, from said Patrick, if he is willing to pay the same. Witnesses, James Tait, John Martin and Robert Gilbert, 124a.

1531 John M’Cubyn

Protocol Book of Gavin Ros, Scottish Record Society, no. 1262John M’Cubyn At Air [Ayr] Feb 1531 Instrument (very defective) relating to the same subject as the next writ, and narrating (apparently) that Rankyn Mur or his procurator, in a case of *arbitration between him and John M’Cubyn, declared he had done his part, but that M’Cubyn had failed in his portion of the agreement, and had not presented his arbiters in terms thereof. Done in the place or church of the friars preachers of Air (…February) 1531. Witnesses, Thomas Boid, Mr. Matthew Chalmer, Robert Chalmer and James Chalmer.*Arbitration or out of court settlement involved the parties each chosing arbiters to make a decision about what they could not agree about. It took the form of a Submission laying out their disagreement and a Decreet Arbitral which was the judgement made by the arbiters.no. 1261. The same day Kentigern Ecclis of that Ilk asserted that John M’Cubyn presented himself in the burgh of Air with him, the asserter, one of the arbiters in the agreement between him and Rankyn Mur, and he declared that James Kennedy of Blarquhane was sick (“infirmus”) and could not be present at the time, and the other arbiters specified in the agreement were occupied in the service of the king and other difficult affairs, and could not be present. He declared, however, that John M. was ready to proceed in said cause, and offered to take John Kennedy of Gyltre or other fit person in absence of his other arbiter, but Robert Boid, in name of Rankyn, dissented. Witnesses, Thomas Boid, Mr. Matthew Chalmer, Robert Chalmer and James Chalmer of Gatgirth

1531 Sir Fynlaw [Finlay] & Patrick M’Cubyn, Cumnock

Protocol Book of Gavin Ros, Scottish Record Society At the church of CumnockSir Fynlaw [Finlay] & Patrick M’Cubyn Cumnock no. 1147. Instrument narrating that George Craufurd of Laffinoris, John Campble of Schankistoun, Andrew Campble of Skeringtoun, Patrick Logan of that Ilk, George Hamiltoun of Bordland, Alexander Logan, (of or in) Flat, Andrew Logan in Auchingibbert, Patrick Broun, Hugh Craufurd of Horscleuch, John Craufurd of Dikes, … in Hill, . . Gilbert Craufurd, John Slane in Ward, John V . . ., George Craufurd in Bernis, Robert Watt, George . . ., Junior, lohn McYrvale, John Miller, James Craufurd, Donald . . ., John Craufurd, David McYlgirow, Andrew Blak, Andrew . . ., Hugh Campbell, Thomas Ross, George Ross, Patrick . . ., Fergus Dalrimple, James Dalrimple, James Watt, . . .Howy, Adam M’Creich, James M’Cowane, John . . ., William M’Cowa..,Gilbert M’Kerow, . . . M’Clanachan, . . . Hannay, Ellen, M’ . . . James . . ., John Umfried {three lines awanting here) . . . Gilbert Wod, Alexander Hume, Andrew Gillis, Rankyn Inglis, . . . Campbell, David Wilson, John Wilson, Andrew ……. Craufurd, James Dunbar, John M’Nacht, .Michael ……. Gibson, John Ferguson, Roger …, Richard …, Roger Berry, John Hamilton,…Fergus Hog, junior, John Wilson, William . . ., James M’Fersoun, John Logan, Alexander . . . son, John Bold, junior, Margaret Stille, John …, George Craufurd, George M’Gathan of Barlunachan, Patrick . . ., Andrew M’Cosch, John Broun, Colin Campbell, Donald Wilson, John Walker in Gilt, John Hamilton, William Wilson, Ronald Hog, George Hog, John Auchincross, Jonet Auchinlek, Andrew Logan, Allan Symer, John Hog, John Herd, . . . M’Cubyn, John Hog alias Piper, Juliana Blak, Matthew Syme. Andrew Stille, junior, Richard Smyt, John M’Cra, Margaret . . ., John Wilson, senior, John Wilson, junior, Andrew Sloan, Andrew . . ., George M’llgrow, Patrick M’llgrow, Jonet Logan in …… . Campbell, Patrick Campbell, Patrick M’Cubyn, Cuthbert . . ., Rankyn Vauss, Patrick Blak, Alexander M’rerik, . . . M’Nacht, Robert Wryt, Arthur Con, William Con, . . . M’Cra, John Ross, John M’ . . ., John Campbell in Blakwood, John Schanks, John Mur, John Crag, James . . ., John Gibson, Andrew Richart, Marion Thomson, . . . Pawtoun, Andrew . . ., Michael . ., Jonet Hucheon, {some lines awanting- here), . . . Layng, parishioners of Cumnok, have chosen Sir Thomas Craufurd of Cumnok in and to the said office of clerkship, which had fallen, as they asserted, into their hands by decease of the late John Campbell, last parish clerk and possessor of the same, and they have given freely their votes and choice to him. Then George Craufurd of Laffinoris, George Hamiltoun of Bordland and John Campble of Schankistoun, as principal parishioners, in name of the other parishioners, patrons, as they asserted, of said office, inducted the said Sir Thomas Craufurd, clerk, so elected into possession of the office by delivery of stoup, keys of the church and phial as the manner is. These things were done in the church as to the possession and as to other things at the church and other places of said parish. . . . April 1531. Witnesses, George Rede in Daldilling, Andrew … in Braehead, Andrew Blak of Tempilland, William Rede, Sir William Hume and *Sir Fynlaw M’Cubyn, chaplains, 141a.* ‘sir’ (with a small ‘s’) or ‘monseigneur’, were Roman Catholic clergy, usually chaplains whose main role was to say prayers for the dead, usually funded by bequests.

1531 Sir Finlay M’Cubyn, Cunmock

Protocol Book of Gavin Ros, Scottish Record Society, no. 1146Sir Finlay M’Cubyn Cumnock At the church of Cumnock, April 1531 Instrument apparently to the effect that (George Campble), son of the late John (Campble), resigned and entirely demitted the elections of the office of clerkship (of Cumnok, see above), in the hands of George Craufurd of (Laffinoris), transferring the votes falling (to him?) to the person of Sir Thomas Craufurd, present and accepting. These things were done at the church (of Cumnok) April 1531. Witnesses: Blak,Walter Rede and Sir Finlay[M’Cubyn] and Andrew Craufurd, 141a.

1532 John M’Cubyn

Protocol Book of Gavin Ros, Scottish Record Society, no. 1336John M’Cubyn The same day [different document] William Mure produced letters of tack of the lands of Portmark, before the judges chosen between him and Bartholomew Craufurd of Kerse, and asked the judge to proceed in said cause. Witnesses as before.John M’Cubyn and John Craufurd of Drongan, judges, &c. 25 July 1532, 201a.Drongan – as recorded by the East Ayshire Council (on-line source) “Drongan, a former mining village, is situated on the western edge of Ayrshire, some 6 miles from Ayr and 10 miles from Cumnock. The earliest references to Drongan lands are to be found in documents dating to the 14th Century. In the 1390’s these lands were granted to the Craufurds whose stronghold for 250 years was Drongan Castle. The remains of the Castle can be seen on Drongan Mains Farm. The estate passed from the Craufurds to the Cunninghames, then to the Earls of Stair.”

1536 William Mccubyn of Snaid

Calendar of Writs preserved at Yester House. no. 161, published by Scottish Record Society

David Mccubyn and William Mccubyn of Snaid 2nd Novr. 1536. Letters under the Signet, at the instance of George Hay, son and heir of Mr. Geo. Hay of Mynzeane, to David Lowry, messenger, to summon John Lord Hay of Zester, who has already disobeyed a similar charge, as immediate superior of David Mccubyn, brother-son and heir of umquhile. Wm.of the 20sh.of Snaid, to enter the said Geo. Hay to the said lands for the lifetime of David conform to a Decreet of the Lords of Council; and that within 3 days or enter himself into at Blackness Castle at his own expenses, under pain of being put to the horn and his goods: Edinburgh 2 Novr. 24 (1536). Signed J. Chepman, and signet impressed, badly broken.The endorsation bears that on the 4 Nov.1536 David Lowre summoned Lord Hay at his dwelling place of Zestir because he could not apprehend him personally. Witnesses, John Auflek, Geo. Hay, and Wm. Dalzell. {H.) Signed, diamond shaped piece of paper upon wax.

Snade lies half-way between Dalquharran, Brunstoun and the coast.

1539 John Makcubyn

Registrum Magni Sigilli Regum Scotorum : The Register of the Great Seal of Scotland, Vol 1, xxvi no. 242John Makcubyn In the barony of Cumnock 5 January 1539 The king [James V] confirmed a charter of Alexander Dunbar of Cumnock, – by which for a sum of money paid to him, he sold to William Uddart burgess of Edinburgh, and to Katherine Fischear his spouse, – £3 worth of the lands of Poquhois of ancient extent* (see note below) by John Makcubyn, Patrick Makeaw, John Makcreith, John Fergussone, William Campbell, John Portar, William Hammyltoun and..Makknacht), in the barony of Cumnock, Sheriffdom of Ayr: – To hold to the said William and Katherine, etc.*ancient extent refers to the Valuations made during the reigns of Alexander 111 and David 11

1560 Trodonoch mention

Charters of the Abbey of Crossraguel, Vol 1, no. 159Trodonoch mentionTrodonoch, ten shilling land – Charter by commendator of the Monastery to James Stewart to whom he lets in feu-farm several lands including Trodonoch.

1580-1582 Archibald McCubene, John McCubene

Edinburgh Commissary Court Testaments (CC8/8/11) recorded 20/2/1583Archibald McCubene, John McCubene Testament dative and Inventory of Trodonok in the parish of Kirkosuall and Sheriffdom of Ayr who died in the Bar in Carrik in December 1580, given up by Hew Kennedy in the Bar of Carrik, as grandfather to Johne McCubene, lawful son of the deceased Archibald, executor appointed by the Commissary Clerk of Edinburgh on the 15 February 1582Inventory The deceased had an action pending against Johne McMillane in Glassok and James McQuharg in Lanevey for wrongfully evicting him out of his kindly steading of the twenty two and sixpence land of old extent of Kirymoir, lying in the parish of Minigaff in the Sheriffdom of Kirkcudbright. He held a tack and assedation of the property and so was owed 1,000 pounds by them from the date of his eviction which was in May 1576 to the time of his decease There was another action pending by him against Alexander Stewart of Garlies who had evicted him from the sixteen shilling lands of Monnywerk in the parish of Minigaff and which he (Archibald) held in wadset which had not been lawfully redeemed. He had been evicted in June 1578 and was therefore owed 1,000 merks from that time until the time of his decease. The value of his Inventory was £1,666/13/4d To be divided in three parts, deads part was £545/11/1d No cautioner (surety) was namedNotes: (by Diane Baptie, transcriber)Archibald McCubene died intestate He was a landowner of in Scottish records indicates this Kindly steading a property not held under lease Tack and Assedation – lease Wadset type of mortgage by means of which a landowner could borrow money, using the property as security. It was always redeemable Old extent refers to Valuations which took place during the reigns of Alexander 111 and David 11 A merk was worth 2/3rds of a Scots pound; from 1600, one pound Scots was worth 1/12th of one pound Sterling. worth 1/12th of one pound Sterling Three parts under Scots Law, a deceaseds estate was divided in three parts one third went to the widow, one third to the children and one third (the deads part) could be bequeathed as the testator wished. In the case of intestacy, this merely became the residue and would go to his family. Testaments only include movable property. Up until 1868, land could not be bequeathed. Prior to 1600, the year ran from the 25 March to the 25 March. This testament was recorded in January 1582/3. This method of dating was used at the turn of the year.

1583 Thomas M’Cubene

Registrum Magni Sigilli Regum Scotorum : The Register of the Great Seal of Scotland, xxxv 737Thomas M’Cubene In the parish of Kirkoswald, 23 January 1583 The king [James V] confirmed a charter of Alan perpetual commendator of Crux Regalis [Crossraguel] by which – with the assent of the convent of the same, – he demised at fee-farm to Fergus Kennedy burgess of Ayr, and to Mariota Broun his wife, – 40s worth of the lands called Wester Auchinblane of ancient extent (occupied by Thomas M’Cubene and Agnes Dunlop), in the parish of Kirkoswald, royalty of Croceragwell, bailiwick of Carrick, sheriffdom of Ayr: To hold to the said Fergus and Mariota, etc.

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